State of Rural Broadband, Where Things Stand with Efforts to Expand Access & Data Centers
We discuss how COVID ushered in a real sense of urgency to expand reliable, high-speed broadband access throughout the U.S. particularly rural areas. Also, what about the growth of data centers in rural areas? Jeff Johnston is
Trump Administration Announces that the U.S. Government Has Dropped Criminal Charges Against Small Farmer/Rancher Maude Family
(Washington, D.C.) – On Monday, the Trump Administration announced bold action to put farmers and ranchers first by dropping criminal charges against Charles and Heather Maude, a South Dakota family who has a small cattle and hog
U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins Announces Major Win for Texas Farmers and Ranchers in Water Negotiations with Mexico
(Washington, D.C.) – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announces a major win for American agriculture by securing the Mexican government to meet the current water needs of farmers and ranchers in Texas as part of the 1944
USTR Calls Out Misuse of Geographical Indications as Major Trade Barrier
ARLINGTON, VA – The Consortium for Common Food Names (CCFN), National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) and U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC) said they appreciated the U.S. Trade Representative’s (USTR) decision to spotlight protection of common food names
North Dakota Grain Growers Association Appoints Nick Sinner as Executive Director
The North Dakota Grain Growers Association (NDGGA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Nick Sinner as its new Executive Director. Sinner brings over two decades of leadership experience in agricultural advocacy, association management, and stakeholder engagement
AFIA Backs Bicameral, Bipartisan SAFE Act
ARLINGTON, Va. – April 29, 2025 – The American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) proudly supports the Safe American Food Exports (SAFE) Act (H.R. 3038/S. 1501), introduced by U.S. Representatives Randy Feenstra, R-Iowa-4, and Jimmy Panetta, D-Calif.-19, and Senators
USDA to Issue $1.3 Billion to Specialty Crop Producers Through Second Marketing Assistance Program Payment
(College Station, T.X., April 29, 2025) – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins today announced a second round of payments coming this week for specialty crop producers through the Marketing Assistance for Specialty Crops (MASC) program, providing up
MFU Leader to Receive SBA Women in Business Award
ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota Farmers Union (MFU) Executive Committee Chair Carol Anderson is the 2025 Small Business Administration Minnesota Women in Business Champion of the Year. “Carol Anderson is a strong and dedicated leader who’s not
Thune, Smith Reintroduce Legislation to Expand and Strengthen Local Meat Processing Capabilities
WASHINGTON — U.S. Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.) and Tina Smith (D-Minn.) today reintroduced the Strengthening Local Processing Act, legislation that would provide support to America’s small meat and poultry processors to help strengthen and upgrade their operations. The bill would
Planting Progress Moves Forward
(FARGO, ND) — The latest estimates from USDA say that corn, soybean and spring wheat planting progress is moving at or ahead of average as we near the end of April. According to the latest USDA Crop